Automotive timing chain system component and method thereof

Abstract

One embodiment may include an automotive timing chain system component ( 10, 12 ) such as a tensioner arm ( 10 ) or a chain guide ( 12 ) that, during use, bears directly or indirectly against a chain ( 22 ) of an automotive timing chain system ( 14 ). The component ( 10, 12 ) may have an elongated body ( 16, 116 ) made into a generally hollow shape by a hydroforming process. The body may have a first open free end ( 26, 126 ) and a second open free end ( 28, 128 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A product comprising:
 an automotive timing chain system component ( 10 ,  12 ) constructed to bear against a chain ( 22 ) of an automotive timing chain system ( 14 ), the component ( 10 ,  12 ) having an elongated body ( 16 ,  116 ) made into a generally hollow shape by a hydroforming process, the body ( 16 ,  116 ) having a first open free end ( 26 ,  126 ), a second open free end ( 28 ,  128 ), and an upper wall ( 36 ) extending along the length of the body ( 16 ,  116 ) from the first open free end ( 26 ,  126 ) to the second open free end ( 28 ,  128 ) and wherein the body ( 16 ,  116 ) has a cross-sectional profile taken at about a midpoint of its lengthwise dimension of a generally square portion ( 32 ), a generally necked-down portion ( 34 ) extending from the square portion ( 32 ) and a convex working portion ( 52 ) acted upon by a plunger ( 20 ) of the automotive timing chain system ( 14 ) and formed as part of the hydroforming process. 
 
     
     
       2. A product as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the automotive timing chain system component ( 10 ,  12 ) is a tensioner arm ( 10 ). 
     
     
       3. A product as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the automotive timing chain system component ( 10 ,  12 ) is a chain guide ( 12 ). 
     
     
       4. A product as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the component ( 10 ,  12 ) comprises a sliding piece ( 18 ,  118 ) constructed to bear directly against the chain ( 22 ) and being mechanically interconnected to the upper wall ( 36 ) of the body ( 16 ,  116 ). 
     
     
       5. A product as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the body ( 16 ,  116 ) has at least one opening ( 54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158 ) located in the upper wall ( 36 ), and the sliding piece ( 18 ,  118 ) has at least one finger ( 62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 ) inserted into the at least one opening ( 54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158 ) upon mechanical interconnection of the body ( 16 ,  116 ) and the sliding piece ( 18 ,  118 ). 
     
     
       6. A product as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the at least one opening ( 54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158 ) comprises a first, second, and third opening ( 54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158 ), the at least one finger ( 62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 ) comprises a first, second, and third finger ( 62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 ), and, upon mechanical interconnection, the first finger ( 62 ,  162 ) is inserted into the first open free end ( 26 ,  126 ), the second finger ( 64 ,  164 ) is inserted into the first and second openings ( 54 ,  56 ,  154 ,  156 ), and the third finger ( 66 ,  166 ) is inserted into the third opening ( 58 ,  158 ). 
     
     
       7. A product as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the body ( 16 ,  116 ) has a cross-sectional profile taken at about a midpoint of its lengthwise dimension of a rectangle. 
     
     
       8. A product as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the body ( 16 ,  116 ) has a cross-sectional profile taken at about a midpoint of its lengthwise dimension that tapers from the upper wall ( 36 ) to a lower wall ( 38 ), the upper wall ( 36 ) being wider than the lower wall ( 38 ). 
     
     
       9. A product as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the body ( 16 ,  116 ) has at least a first and second hole ( 44 ,  46 ) located in a respective first and second side wall ( 40 ,  42 ) of the body ( 16 ,  116 ) for receiving a dowel pin transversely through the body ( 16 ,  116 ), the first and second holes ( 44 ,  46 ) having a respective first and second flange ( 48 ,  50 ) extending from the respective first and second side walls ( 40 ,  42 ). 
     
     
       10. A product comprising:
 a tensioner arm ( 10 ) for an automotive timing chain system ( 14 ), the tensioner arm ( 10 ) including a body ( 16 ) having a cross-sectional profile taken at about a midpoint of its lengthwise dimension of a generally square portion ( 32 ), a generally necked-down portion ( 34 ) extending from the square portion ( 32 ) and a convex working portion ( 52 ) by a hydroforming process, and including a sliding piece ( 18 ) mechanically and removably interconnected to the body ( 16 ) and constructed to bear directly against a chain ( 22 ) of the automotive timing chain system ( 14 ). 
 
     
     
       11. A product as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the body ( 16 ) extends in a lengthwise direction from a first open free end ( 26 ) to a second open free end ( 28 ), and the body ( 16 ) has an internal channel ( 30 ) extending from the first open free end ( 26 ) to the second open free end ( 28 ). 
     
     
       12. A product as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the body ( 16 ) has a convex working portion ( 52 ) acted upon by a plunger ( 20 ) of the automotive timing chain system ( 14 ) and formed as part of the hydroforming process. 
     
     
       13. A method comprising:
 hydroforming a body ( 16 ,  116 ) of an automotive timing chain system component ( 10 ,  12 ) into a generally hollow and elongated shape, the body ( 16 ,  116 ) having an upper wall ( 36 ) extending along the length of the body ( 16 ,  116 ), a generally square portion ( 32 ), a generally necked-down portion ( 34 ) extending from the square portion ( 32 ) and a convex working portion ( 52 ), and having at least one opening ( 54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158 ) located in the upper wall ( 36 ); 
 forming a sliding piece ( 18 ,  118 ) for bearing against a chain ( 22 ) of an automotive timing chain system ( 14 ), the sliding piece ( 18 ,  118 ) having at least one finger ( 62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 ); and 
 connecting the body ( 16 ,  116 ) and the sliding piece ( 18 ,  118 ) by inserting the at least one finger ( 62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 ) into the at least one opening ( 54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158 ).